Static eliminator with discharge whiskers in a small case

ABSTRACT

There is provided a static eliminator which comprises an ion generating portion in the form of tape. There is also provided a self-discharged static eliminator comprising an conductor provided with discharge whiskers in which the conductor is applied with a predetermined voltage. There is also provided a DC type of self-discharged fiber-like static eliminator which comprises plus fiber electrodes applied with plus voltage, minus fiber electrodes applied with minus voltage, a support disposed between the plus and minus electrodes for supporting the plus and minus electrodes and provided with insulation reserving member for preventing the spark discharge or short due to the access of the plus and minus electrodes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention generally relates to a static eliminator, and moreparticularly, to a tape type of static eliminator and a self-dischargedstatic eliminator.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

From the viewpoint of construction, the ion generating portion of theconventional static eliminators are shaped in the form of box or rod.

From the viewpoint of discharge property, there is a self-dischargedstatic eliminators. The self-discharged static eliminator usesconductive thin fibers. The discharge occurs from the leading ends ofthe fibers when the difference of static potential between the fibersand the object to be discharged or the fibers themselves rises above acertain value, which results in the cut-down of static electricity ofthe charged object. The self-discharged static eliminator is used todischarge static electricity of the charged objects by approaching thestatic eliminator to the charged objects. The operators in the factorywear the self-discharged static eliminators to discharge the staticelectricity from themselves and cut down the charge.

Since the ion generation portion of the static eliminator of the formeris shaped in the form of box or rod, a large space is required toinstall it. Therefore, since the static eliminator can not be installedin the machine or in the narrow gap, the static electricity can not beeliminated in the area of static generation.

With the self-discharged static eliminator of the latter, theself-discharge does not occur until static electricity is accumulatedand then static potential difference goes over a certain value, about700 V, and the self-discharge stops when static potential differencegoes below the certain value, about 700 V, and therefore the residualstatic electricity of about 700 V always remains.

FIG. 18 shows a conventional self-discharged static eliminator. Aself-discharged static eliminator 300 comprises a line-like or rod-likeconductor or a plate-like or fiber-like conductor body 302 provided withwhisker-like conductors 304, and is called “eliminator brush” or “armband”. The eliminator brush is not necessary to have electronic deviceseparately and can eliminate static electricity. That is, withoutapplication for energy from the outside, the eliminator can dischargestatic electricity and therefore is called self-discharged staticeliminator.

On the principle of operation, when the eliminator brush is disposedopposite to the objective 306 to be discharged such as a work made ofpaper, film, or sheet, and then the distance D is shorten, the electricfield on the leading ends of whisker conductors become large and theninsulation of air can be held. Finally, corona discharge starts and thenair ions in the opposite polarity of the work are induced.

FIG. 19 shows a graph of elimination property of a conventionalself-discharged static eliminator. The curve line indicated at “staticelimination property of prior art” on the graph shows that when theelimination brush is approached to the work bearing static potential of5 kV, the corona discharge starts and the static potential graduallydecreases. When the static potential decreases to about 1 kV, theelectric field on the leading ends of whiskers of static eliminator isweaken and finally the corona discharge stops. Since at that time staticelimination ends, the static electricity is not completely eliminatedand the residual static electricity of about 1 kV remains.

It is desirable that static elimination is made enough to eliminateresidual static electricity as shown by the curve line indicated at“static elimination property of invention” in FIG. 19.

With the fiber-like static eliminator as shown in FIG. 8, pluselectrodes and minus electrodes are arranged in line, respectively.These electrodes are not disposed oppose to each other and are disposedin zigzag. In this case, since, for example, each of minus electrodes isequally applied with sucking force from plus electrodes on both sides,the leading ends of electrodes are not approached, and thus sparkdischarge or short due to approaching of electrodes does not occur.

However, with the conventional DC type of fiber-like static eliminatoras shown in FIG. 31 in which a multiplicity of fiber electrodes aredisposed in parallel on support on its opposite sides, if the dischargeelectrodes project from the end of support, the leading ends ofdischarge electrodes approach to each other due to static force, whichwould result in the spark discharge or short.

More specifically, referring to FIG. 31, a fiber-like static eliminator210 comprises a multiplicity of plus fiber electrodes 214 and amultiplicity of minus fiber electrodes 216 disposed in parallel onsupport 212 on its opposite sides. Both electrodes 214 and 216 are powersupplied from conducting electrodes 218, and the leading ends of plusand minus electrodes 214 and 216 project from the end of the support212.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a tapetype of static eliminator which can be installed in a small space or gapand does not generate the stoppage of discharge even when the staticpotential goes down below about 700 V.

It is another object of the present invention to provide aself-discharged static eliminator, hereinafter referred as to “staticeliminator” or “eliminator brush” which can eliminate static electricitywith ease by small power until the residual static electricity isremoved.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a DC type offiber-like static eliminator which prevents spark discharge or short.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

To accomplish the objects, there is provided a static eliminator whichcomprises ion generating portion in the form of tape.

There is also provided a self-discharged static eliminator comprisingconductors provided with discharge whiskers in which voltage is appliedto conductors.

There is also provided a DC type of fiber-like self-discharged staticeliminator which comprises plus fiber electrodes supplied with plusvoltage, minus fiber electrodes supplied with minus voltage, and asupport disposed between plus fiber electrodes and minus fiberelectrodes for supporting these fiber electrodes and provided with aninsulation reserving mean for preventing the spark discharge or theshort due to access of electrodes.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will beexplained in the following detailed description of the invention havingreference to the appended drawings:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a tape type of static eliminator in accordance with thefirst embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 2 shows a tape type of static eliminator in accordance with thesecond embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 3 shows a tape type of static eliminator in accordance with thethird embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 4 shows a tape type of static eliminator in accordance with the 4thembodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 5 shows a tape type of static eliminator in accordance with the 5thembodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 6 shows a static eliminator in accordance with the 6th embodimentof the present invention in a plan view and a side view,

FIG. 7 shows a static eliminator in accordance with the 7th embodimentof the present invention in a plan view and a side view,

FIG. 8 shows a static eliminator in accordance with the 8th embodimentof the present invention in a plan view and a side view,

FIG. 9 shows a static eliminator in accordance with the 9th embodimentof the present invention in a plan view and a side view,

FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic view of an electronic circuit of AC type ofstatic eliminator,

FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic view of an electronic circuit of DC type ofstatic eliminator,

FIG. 12 is a graph for explanation of the principle of operation of ACtype of static eliminator,

FIG. 13 is a graph for explanation of the principle of operation of DCtype of static eliminator,

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a static eliminator in accordancewith the 10th embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 16 is a cross sectional view showing an AC type of staticeliminator in accordance with 10th embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 16 is a cross sectional view showing a DC type of static eliminatorin accordance with 10th embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 17 is a view for explanation of principle of operation of 10thembodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 18 is a front view showing a conventional static eliminator,

FIG. 19 is a graph showing elimination properties of a conventionalstatic eliminator and a static eliminator in accordance with the presentinvention,

FIG. 20 is a view showing the whole of a prototype of fiber-like staticeliminator in accordance with 11th embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 21 shows a fiber-like static eliminator in accordance with the 12thof the present invention,

FIG. 22 shows a fiber-like static eliminator in accordance with the 13thof the present invention,

FIG. 23 shows insulation reserving means in accordance with 14thembodiment.

FIG. 24 shows insulation reserving means in accordance with 14thembodiment.

FIG. 25 shows insulation reserving means in accordance with 14thembodiment.

FIG. 26 shows insulation reserving means in accordance with 14thembodiment.

FIG. 27 shows insulation reserving means in accordance with 14thembodiment.

FIG. 28 shows insulation reserving means in accordance with 14thembodiment.

FIG. 29 shows insulation reserving means in accordance with 14thembodiment.

FIG. 30 is a view for explanation of attachment portion in accordancewith 16th embodiment, and

FIG. 31 is a view showing the whole of a conventional fiber-like staticeliminator.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION First Embodiment

FIG. 1 shows a tape type of static eliminator in accordance with thefirst embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1 a tape-type staticeliminator, specifically, a tape-type ion generator of the staticeliminator 10 includes a plurality of discharge electrodes 14 forgenerating ions on a narrow thin board tape 12. Each discharge electrode14 is disposed in parallel on the board tape 12 and the discharge end ofeach discharge electrode 14 is oriented in a direction to issue ionsfrom one side of the board tape 12. Since the discharge electrodes areapplied with high voltage such as above several kV, it is preferred thata plurality of short cover tapes 16 a as shown in FIG. 1 a or anelongated cover tape as shown in FIG. 1 b are provided for covering overthe discharge electrodes 14. The discharge electrodes 14 are is powersupplied by conductor or electric supply line, not shown in FIG. 1,through a high voltage generating device, not shown, from a powersupply, not shown.

The board tape 12 is of any proper insulating material and may be rigidor flexible in its stiffness. However, the flexible material ispreferable because of usability. The cover tape 16 (16 a or 16 b) is ofany flexible insulating material.

This tape type of static eliminator 10 is not required for large spacefor installation and can be installed in a narrow space since it isnarrow and thin. Therefore, the static eliminator can eliminate staticelectricity on the site of static electricity occurrence within amachine or a device immediately after its occurrence and thus canprevent problems induced from the static electricity.

As another merits, when the board tape 12 of flexible material is usedit can be installed in conformity to the three dimensional structure ofthe object to be discharged since the board tape 12 can be bent freely.Thus, the static eliminator can issue ions from the best position forelimination in accordance with the object to be discharged, andtherefore highly effective elimination is possible.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 2 shows a tape type of static eliminator in accordance with thesecond embodiment of the present invention. In case that the iongenerating portion is in the form of tape and is flexible, the staticeliminator can be suspended on opposite ends by pulling it. In such acase, only holders 18 provided on the opposite ends are required forpulling. Therefore, a support for supporting ion generating portion fromits rear side is not necessary. Furthermore, the problem in that thesupport absorbs ions can be solved. Although the short cover tapes 16 ais shown in FIG. 2, the elongated cover tape 16 b may be used.

Third Embodiment

FIG. 3 shows a tape type of static eliminator in accordance with thethird embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 a and FIG. 3 b arecross sectional views along lines 3-3 of FIG. 1. In FIG. 3 a, conductors20 and 22 are used for supplying electric power to discharge electrodes14. The conductors 20 and 22 generate plus ions and minus ions,respectively, and power supply to each discharge electrode 14 is carriedout by connecting its terminal and conductor 20 or 22. These conductors20 and 22 are supplied with power from a high voltage generating device,not shown. In FIG. 3 b, the board tape 12 itself is an electroniccircuit board with an electronic circuit pattern which supplies power tothe discharge electrodes. As a circuit pattern, portions 24 a and 24 bcorresponding to the conductor or power supply line are provided. Inthis manner, in case that the electronic circuit pattern is provided,FPC or flexible print circuit, or FFC or flexible flat cable may beused.

4th Embodiment

FIG. 4 shows a tape type of static eliminator in accordance with 4thembodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, dischargeelectrodes are mounted in sockets 26. In this case, discharge electrodesare exchangeable and thus their maintenance is easy.

5th Embodiment

FIG. 5 shows a tape type of static eliminator in accordance with 5thembodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, dischargeelectrode 14 is formed with discharge leading ends 14 a and 14 b at itsopposite ends to issue ions from the opposite sides of the board tape12. Alternatively, the discharge electrode with discharge leading end 14a and discharge electrode with discharge leading end 14 b are disposedin opposite directions. With this tape type of static eliminator, it canbe used to discharge static electricity on the opposite sides in anarrow space.

6th Embodiment

FIG. 6 shows a prototype of static eliminator in accordance with 6thembodiment of the present invention. One of more specific embodiments7-9 described later is used in response to the property of appliedvoltage. An eliminator brush 110 comprises a base tape 112, whiskershaped conductors or whisker electrodes 118, a conductor 116 providedwith the whisker conductors 118 so that the whisker conductors 118 aredisposed in parallel to be orientated in a direction, and a cover forcovering the conductor 116 and whisker conductors 118. The conductor 116of the eliminator brush 110 is connected with electronic device or body120 by conductor 122 to be applied with voltage from the body 120. Theeliminator brush 110 is covered by insulating cover 114. It ispreferable that the applied voltage is near the residual electricity asshown in FIG. 19. Although the reason will be described in detail later,when the voltage near the residual electricity is applied, in case thatthe work, not shown, is not charged with static electricity, theeliminator brush does not discharge and ions are not issued. However,the discharge starts just at the moment when the work is charged even ifonly slightly and the ions in opposite polarity of charged work areissued and the discharge is made.

If the eliminator brush 110 is being applied with the voltage higherthan the residual electricity, the full-time discharge continues to bemade from the eliminator brush 110. This is of no use in a sense.However, because of full-time discharge, if charged only slightly, aquantity of discharge is adjusted with high sensitivity and thus a rapidand high accurate operation of discharge can be realized.

7th Embodiment

FIG. 7 shows a static eliminator in accordance with 7th embodiment ofthe present invention. In FIG. 7 a static eliminator is of AC type. Withthe AC type of static eliminator, one eliminator brush (conductor 116and array of discharge whiskers 118) is held by spacers 124, 126 andcovered by the cover 114 to be insulated from the outside. Theeliminator brush is preferably formed on a base tape 112, which can beeasily handled. Since the eliminator brush would touch the work and becharged if the leading ends of whiskers projects from the base tape, itis preferable that the whisker is led in from the base tape and does nottouch the work directly. The brush eliminator is applied with voltage,for example, AC 1 kV relatively lower than the applied voltage such asAC 5 kV-10 kV used in the conventional static eliminator.

8th Embodiment

FIG. 8 shows a static eliminator in accordance with 8th embodiment ofthe present invention. This eliminator is of a DC type. The eliminatorhas two eliminator brushes. The brushes are applied with a voltage, forexample, DC 1 kV relatively lower than the applied voltage such as DC 5kV-10 KV used in the conventional static eliminator. One brush isapplied with voltage of plus polarity and the other brush is appliedwith voltage of minus polarity. It is preferable that whiskers of eachbrush are disposed in zigzag manner. Furthermore, these brushes areisolated and electrically insulated from each other by spacer 128. Thesebrushes are mounted on the base tape and are insulated by the cover 114,which can be easily handled. Since the eliminator brush would touch thework and be charged if the leading ends of whiskers projects from thebase tape, it is preferable that the whisker is led in from the basetape and does not touch the work directly.

9th Embodiment

FIG. 9 shows a static eliminator in accordance with 9th embodiment ofthe present invention. In the embodiment, an eliminator brush 110 ofplus polarity and an eliminator brush 110 of minus polarity areseparately provided. The eliminator brush is different from that of the8th of embodiment in that no intermediate spacer 128 is provided, butthe other construction is similar to that of the 8th of embodiment.

FIGS. 10 and 11 diagrammatically shows an electronic circuit accordingto the present invention. FIG. 10 shows the electronic circuit appliedfor the AC type of static eliminator and FIG. 11 shows the electroniccircuit applied for the DC type of static eliminator.

With the AC type of static eliminator, an oscillator OSC 132 provided inthe electronic device 120 generates an alternate voltage. Although itsoscillating frequency may be 50/60 Hz of commercial power, thetransformer becomes large. Therefore, it is preferable that several 10kV of frequency is used for miniaturization. The voltage generated byoscillator is boosted to the order of the above-mentioned residualstatic potential, for example, 1 kV. The work which is discharged by theeliminator 110 is indicated at 130.

With the DC type of static eliminator, an oscillator OSC 132 generatesan alternate voltage. The alternate voltage is rectified by arectification circuit and boosted to generates plus DC and minusvoltages on the order of the above-mentioned residual static potential,for example, 1 kV. These voltages are applied to separate staticeliminators.

Now referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, a principle of operation will beexplained. The AC type will be explained with reference to FIG. 12 andthe DC type will be explained with reference to FIG. 13. The staticpotential is on axis of ordinate of the graph and time is on axis ofabscissas of the graph.

In FIG. 12 the alternate voltage in which its peak voltage is ±1 kVstatic potential to ground is applied. At the moment when the workcharged with 0.3 kV appears near the eliminator brush, during halfpositive cycle the potential difference between the eliminator brush andthe work increases by 0.3 kV to 1.3 kV. Since the potential differencerises beyond the discharge halt voltage of 1 kV, the electric fieldbecomes stronger and thus the discharge of plus ions starts, which leadsto neutralization of minus charge of 0.3 kV. In the meantime, duringhalf negative cycle the potential difference between the eliminatorbrush and the work decreases by 0.3 kV to 0.7 kV. Since the charge of0.7 kV is below the discharge halt voltage of 1 kV, the electric fieldbecomes weaker and thus the discharge of minus ions does not occur.

In FIG. 13 the DC voltages in which ±1 kV static potentials to groundare applied. At the moment when the work charged with 0.3 kV appearsnear the eliminator brush, the potential difference between the positiveeliminator brush and the work increases by 0.3 kV to 1.3 kV. Since thepotential difference rises beyond the discharge halt voltage of 1 kV,the electric field becomes stronger and thus the discharge of plus ionsstarts, which leads to neutralization of minus charge of 0.3 kV. In themeantime, the potential difference between the negative eliminator brushand the work decreases by 0.3 kV to 0.7 kV. Since the charge of 0.7 kVis below the discharge halt voltage of 1 kV, the electric field becomesweaker and thus the discharge of minus ions does not occur.

With the conventional eliminator brush, when static electricity goesbelow 1 kV, the discharge halts, and a further elimination can be notmade. Consequently the residual static electricity of 1 kV remains. Onthe other hand, in the invention since the eliminator brush is appliedwith the discharge halt voltage such as 1 kV, the discharge starts andneutralizes the static electricity which the work bears just at themoment when the work is charged with static electricity. Of course whenthe work bears no static electricity no or little discharge occurs.

10th Embodiment

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a static eliminator in accordancewith 10th embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 14 the body ofeliminator 150 is accommodated in a small case 152 such as watch bandtype or ring type and discharge whiskers 154 are disposed so that thesewhiskers are oriented in a direction of opening of the small case.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing AC type of static eliminatorof 10th embodiment. In FIG. 15 the static eliminator 150 comprises anelectronic circuit 156 and a power supply 158 accommodated in the case152, and a conductor 162 which is provided with electrode whiskers 162is adapted to be applied with AC voltage through a conductor from thepower supply 156. An object contact electrode 160 for making contactwith the object to be discharged such as a human body or the workthrough a conductor from the electronic circuit 156 is provided on theouter surface of the case on the side opposite to the opening of thecase.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing DC type of static eliminatorof 10th embodiment. The embodiment is the same as that of theabove-mentioned AC type of static eliminator except that the twoconductors 162 and 162 provided with discharge whickers are connected tothe DC power supply to be applied with plus and minus voltages.

FIG. 17 is a view for explanation on principle of operation. In FIG. 17in case that the object to be discharged such as human body bears nocharge, the discharge does not occur. On the other hand when the objectto be discharged is charged with, for example, plus 0.3 kV, thedischarge occurs from the plus discharge whiskers applied with DCvoltage of plus 1 kV to reduce the charge of the human body tosubstantial zero.

11th Embodiment

FIG. 20 is views (plan view, front view and side view) showing aprototype of whole fiber shaped static eliminator in accordance with the11th embodiment of the present invention. A fiber eliminator 210comprises a support 212 made of insulating material.

In the embodiment the support 212 comprises two support members and amounting member 220 for mounting two support members at the oppositesides. However, the support 212 may be one piece of member or may beintegral with the mounting member 220. The mounting member is used to beattached on the other member for holding the fiber eliminator, describedin detail later.

A plus fiber electrode 214 and a minus fiber electrode 216 are attachedto two supports 212, 212 at the outer sides thereof and are suppliedwith plus and minus voltages through a conducting electrode 218 from thepower supply, not shown. The conducting electrode 218 equally suppliespower to all discharge electrodes. The support 212 is formed with anisolation protrusion 212 a.

As constructed above, the fiber eliminator 210 does not generate shortor spark since the distance between the electrodes are maintained evenif statically attracting force for attraction are acted between the plusand minus electrodes. That is, as described in detail later, insulationspace distance and creepage distance for insulation between plus andminus electrodes 214 and 216 are reserved at any position such as upperportion (leading end), side portion (side end) and lower portion (bottomend) of the support 212.

12th embodiment

FIG. 21 shows a static eliminator in accordance with the 12th embodimentof the present invention. The static eliminator is similar to that of11th embodiment except that no isolation protrusion 212 a is provided.In the embodiment, if the mounting member or portion 220 is attached toa metal support, not shown in FIG. 21, electric leakage would occursince plus and minus electrodes 214 and 216 are near the metal support.Therefore, as shown in FIG. 21, it is preferable that the mountingmember is made to be in the form of T to reserve creepage distance forinsulation between the metal support and plus or minus electrode.

13th Embodiment

FIG. 22 a shows a static eliminator in accordance with the 13thembodiment of the present invention and FIG. 22 b is a view forexplanation on the static eliminator in accordance with the 13thembodiment of the present invention. If, as shown in FIG. 22 b, theleading end or upper end of support 212 is below the leading ends ofdischarge electrodes 214 and 216, the electrodes are attracted to eachother by static force and then deformed, which results in spark orshort. In order to avoid this, as shown in FIG. 22 a, the upper end ofthe support 212 is made to be level with the leading ends of dischargeelectrodes to prevent deformation of the discharge electrodes.

14th Embodiment

FIGS. 23-29 show insulation reservation means for reserving insulationbetween the discharge electrodes or between the fiber static eliminatorand the holder on which the fiber static eliminator is mounted.

As shown in FIG. 23, the support 212 is provided with isolation portionat its upper end by making the support to be thick and be level with thedischarge electrodes for reserving insulation.

As shown in FIG. 24, the support 212 is made to be thick and is providedat its opposite sides with isolation portion which length is the same asthat of discharge electrodes 214 and 216 or longer than that ofdischarge electrodes 214 and 216 for reserving insulation at itsopposite end portions.

As shown in FIG. 25 the support 212 is made to be thick, and to be levelwith the discharge electrodes or to project from the bottom of thedischarge electrodes for providing isolation portion at its bottomportion to reserve insulation.

As shown in FIG. 26 the support 212 is provided with protrusion 222 forisolation to reserve insulation at its bottom portion.

As shown in FIG. 27 the support 212 is formed with a groove 224 at itsupper portion to reserve creepage distance for insulation.

As shown in FIG. 28 the support 212 is formed with a groove 224 at itsside portions to reserve creepage distance for insulation.

As shown in FIG. 29 the support 212 is formed with a groove 224 at itsbottom portion to reserve creepage distance for insulation.

15th Embodiment

Now referring to FIG. 20 again, the conductor electrode will beexplained. Since the fiber discharge electrode material has a lowresistance value near the conductor, the discharge occurs near theconductor easily and thus elimination is effective. However, since thefiber discharge electrode material has a high resistance value away fromthe conductor, the discharge does not easily occur away from theconductor and thus elimination is not effective. In order to avoid thiseach discharge electrode is connected to the conductor electrode 218 toreserve elimination performance even at the end conductor electrode.

16th Embodiment

FIG. 30 is a view for explanation on mounting portion of eliminator. Theconventional elimination brush is attached to the holder made of metal.Since fundamentally the elimination brush is used so as to be groundedto the earth there is no concept of insulation. The eliminator brushaccording to the present invention should be insulated from theenvironment since the eliminator is supplied with voltage although thevoltage is low. Therefore, the mounting portion is necessary at the sideportion or bottom portion of the eliminator.

It is understood that many modifications and variations may be devisedgiven the above description of the principles of the invention. It isintended that all such modifications and variations be considered aswithin the spirit and scope of this invention, as it is defined in thefollowing claims.

1-35. (canceled)
 36. A self-discharged static eliminator comprising: apower supply; an electronic circuit for converting electric power fromthe power supply into a predetermined voltage; at least one conductorsupplied with the predetermined voltage from the electronic circuit; anda plurality of discharge whiskers connected to the conductor, whereinthe power supply, the electronic circuit, the conductor, and thedischarge whiskers are contained in a small case in the form of a watchor ring.
 37. A self-discharged static eliminator according to claim 36in which the case itself is a contacting electrode for contacting aground terminal of the electronic circuit for discharge of the dischargewhiskers.
 38. A self-discharged static eliminator according to claim 36in which a ground terminal of the electronic circuit includes acontacting electrode for contacting the discharge whiskers to bedischarged.